ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1404, 26 January 1899, Page 15

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Gibborn®, January 19 'Mrs Ezra Smith, an old resident. died here today from injuries to her epine caused by f»Uing lrom a trap on Boxing Day, Christchurch, January 21. On-Saturday last the body of an infant was discovered buried in a garden at Opawa, and an inquest was opened, but adjourned. To-day the inquest was resumed. The evidence went to show that a young woman named Lucy Constable had had a miscarriage, and that her sister Louisa had buried the body. The jury brought in a verdict that the child was fouud buried, and that there was not sufficient evidence to show that the child had breathed.

Subsequently the sisters were charged with disposing of the body of the child with intent to conceal the fact of its birth. A remand was granted till Monday. There has been an epidemic of missing persons in the Christchurch district during the past few months, and in consequence of the recent drowning cases at New Brighton, cause much anxiety to be felt when fresh instances are reported. A week ago a servant girl was missed from Addington, but was subsequently discovered at Rakaia. She had left a note behind stating her intention of committing suicide. To-day a man named Harry Allpress, flaxmiller, of Studholme (Junction, is reported missing from his father’s residence in Christchurch. He too sent a letter to his wife stating that he intended to commit suicide. Invercargili , January 23.

Christian Clementson, aged 40, insurance agent, was drowned yesterday in the Oreti river, near Lumsden, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. He was seen to remove his coat and vest and jump into the river. The body was not recovered for half an hour, and the efforts to restore life were ineffectual. Deceased had been drinking. He leaves a wife in Auckland.